Seat slides back on takeoff

What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll his seat released and slid rearward. He reduced engine power. He could still reach the rudder pedals, but not the brakes. The airplane went off the runway and into a drainage ditch.

The seat mechanism was the subject of a 2011 Airworthiness Directive, which had been complied with during the airplane’s most recent annual inspection.

Post-accident examination of the seat mechanism revealed no anomalies.

Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot failed to ensure that his seat was in a locked position before takeoff, which allowed it to slide during the takeoff roll.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure that his seat was in a locked position before takeoff, which resulted in the seat sliding rearward and the subsequent loss of directional control.